Source: Daily_Mail
LEO'S LONDON: Harry's handling of Christmas bash has been spot on
Harry Redknapp's handling of his players' unauthorised Christmasparty has left many with the impression he could have been tougher.[LNB]But the Tottenham manager has played the percentages and looks to have judged the situation perfectly.[LNB]In the same position, Stoke's Tony Pulis would probably have losthis rag (or towel) and former QPR boss Jim Magilton gone nutty.[LNB]Hands on: Redknapp's handling of the illicit Christmas do - lead by ringleader Robbie Keane - has been impeccable[LNB] More from Leo Spall... LEO'S LONDON: It's time the FA came down hard on the likes of Benoit Assou-Ekotto 16/12/09 LEO'S LONDON: Forget Beckham, Milner and Wright-Phillips... Aaron Lennon is the right choice for England09/12/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Yet with 16 players apparently breaking the rules the confrontations would have gone on for days.[LNB]Redknapp's demand from his partying players that they make sizeable donations to charity means they have been punished.[LNB]Captain Robbie Keane, allegedly the ringleader, knows that his already weak position at the club has taken a hit too.[LNB]Let's not forget though, nobody was hurt, arrested or condemned fortheir abhorrent behaviour as numerous players have been at variousclubs' Christmas parties of the past.[LNB]They broke the rules and there have been consequences. Now they oweRedknapp and Spurs and he will ensure they pay their dues on the pitch.[LNB] [LNB]Worse off: Bellamy's departure hit the Hammers[LNB]Gianfranco Zola has been drawing parallels between West Ham's position this season and last.[LNB]There is not too much difference in the team's points totals at this stage and they are, apparently, under no pressure to sell in the January transfer window.[LNB]The only problem is that last term Craig Bellamy was still sold to Manchester City for £14million and West Ham were a lot worse for it.[LNB]The justification at the time was that because he desperately wanted to make the move it that was okay.[LNB]However, if the same approach is taken this time around West Ham could lose the core of the team and would certainly be relegated very quickly.[LNB]With a World Cup next summer and Rob Green, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole are all in great demand.[LNB]They all want to go to South Africa with England too and considering clubs with more money and better prospects than West Ham covet them, the chances of at least one kicking-up as Bellamy-style fuss must be high.[LNB] [LNB]Stan Kroenke is now within a whisker of launching a takeover bid for Arsenal and still he hasn't revealed his intentions.[LNB]The club director stayed silent too at the last AGM and seems happy to leave shareholders and fans in the dark.[LNB]Does Kroenke have something to hide? Is Arsene Wenger's conservative approach to football business something he would want to change? What level of success would he demand for his investment? [LNB]The American's involvement prompts many questions so let's hope he is a little more communicative when he finally takes control of the club.[LNB] [LNB]By the time Jose Mourinho arrives at Stamford Bridge with Inter Milan on 16 March, Chelsea will be much closer to knowing if they have found his heir to the throne.[LNB]Carlo Ancelotti will have been through the transfer window when the second leg of his team's Champions League clash with the Italian club.[LNB]Who he chooses to sign or allows the club to sign for him, will give a strong indication of what he can achieve with Chelsea.[LNB] Old pals' act: Mourinho embraces former charges John Terry and Frank Lampard - alongside Petr Cech and Joe Cole - whom the Portuguese brought to Stamford Bridge[LNB]As returning hero Mourinho has already pointed out, Ancelotti's squad is largely that assembled by the Portuguese - and there are holes.[LNB]Ancelotti may have organised his team well and found a system that works most of the time, but the players he brings in could make or break him. [LNB] [LNB]Raheem Sterling may have to wait to make his QPR debut after all.[LNB]The teenager who celebrated his 15th birthday two weeks' ago was supposed to be fast-tracked into the first team as part of the club's plan to convince him to stay.[LNB]But the clock is ticking on his chance to break the Football League record as its all-time youngest player after yet another change of regime at Loftus Road.[LNB]Reuben Noble-Lazarus is the kid to beat after making his Barnsley debut aged 15 years and 45 days near the beginning of last season. Yet new manager Paul Hart - one of Rangers' more sensible choices of manager - has got enough on his plate without that too.[LNB]Poor weather has disrupted his initial training programme and he has not even seen Sterling in action yet.[LNB]Given that Hart only has a contract until the end of the season and is under pressure to deliver at least a play-off place, he could be forgiven if the youngster's future was not top of his agenda.[LNB] [LNB]
